The Illinois football team is back on the map when it comes to players drafted into the NFL.
With the second pick in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Nick Allegretti, guard, from the University of Illinois. The sound of that previous sentence gives me goosebumps because this kid has worked so hard throughout his life to get to this point, and his hard work paid off.
Allegretti came into the Illini program as a three-star recruit from the class of 2014. This wasn’t exactly an easy time to be on the team. He was able to take a redshirt year one and during his redshirt freshman season, he saw action in every game playing both offensive and defensive line.
The 2015 campaign was also the season where Tim Beckman was fired, as well as the athletic director Mike Thomas. In the late winter in 2016, Bill Cubit was then let go as well. It would have been completely understandable for someone like Allegretti to transfer out of the program. There was so much turmoil. But he didn’t. He didn’t transfer. He stuck with the team, and I am grateful for that. He was a true leader, and this showed throughout this career.
Yes sir!!!! Congrats my man!!! @Gretti_53 #Illini pic.twitter.com/ggTwg0yUtj
— Writing Illini (@WritingIlliniFS) April 27, 2019
Allegretti then entered his sophomore season with a new head coach who ended up being none other than Lovie Smith. That season, Allegretti started every single game for the Illini mostly at guard but also had one start at center.
In 2017, Allegretti once again started every game for the Orange and Blue. He started to pile up the honors as well. He was All-Big Ten second team by Pro Football Focus and was All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media.
This past season was outstanding as well. He started every game again and was named All-Big Ten second team by the media and was All-Big Ten honorable mention by coaches. The honors continued on as well. This kid was special during his career.
I am going to miss Allegretti and everything he brought to the Illinois football team. He wasn’t just a great offensive lineman. He was a leader on and off the field. He showed players and fans what it means to work hard and achieve goals. There are a certain few players I would have kids look up to that have come from the Illinois program and Allegretti is one of them. Congratulations on being drafted by the Chiefs. They just got a great locker room guy and someone who will leave everything on the field.